Dogs can be a great friend if you train them the proper way. As can be seen, a healthy dog is the result of an informed owner who searches out the information needed to properly care for the pet. The tips included below will help with the discovery process.
Hugging is okay but kissing should be avoided. Dogs are prone to tartar build up and cavities just like people. Dogs poke around trash cans, love smelling and licking other dogs’ body parts and enthusiastically drink from toilet bowls. Some believe the mouth of a dog is even cleaner than our own. This is absolutely a myth!
Your dog needs an annual physical exam from the vet, just as you need one from your doctor. Dogs can’t talk, so how do you know he has arthritis, for example? You need to go to the vet every year to get a check up.
Whenever you bring your dog along on vacations, take a quick snapshot of him and keep it on your phone. This way, should he get lost, you have a picture you can show others. You can also use the picture to hand our “lost” flyers.
Use flea treatments with caution. Many of them contain ingredients that can put children at risk for cancer at a rate that is 1000 times more than what the EPA considers safe! Ask your vet about alternative treatments that are more family-friendly, and be sure to keep small children away during applications.
Don’t take your dog off of your own property without a leash, no matter how well-behaved he is. Wild animals could grab their attention, causing them to run into dangerous territory, or they may have an unpleasant situation involving other dogs and people. You are responsible if your dog does this.
Don’t force your dog to do anything. If your dog doesn’t want it, don’t force him to eat it. Keep an eye on your dog’s likes and dislikes.
When buying your dog’s food, do not get the cheap stuff. It will benefit your dog greatly if he is fed food that is nutritious and high in quality. This may mean that you have to pay a higher price, but you will know your dog is receiving all of the nutrients he needs.
Get your new pet a veterinary exam. As soon as you bring your new dog home, make an appointment with your vet. The vet will provide a full health check and create a vaccination schedule. Ask your vet about neutering your dog. Shelters are filled with unwanted animals and not neutering your dog means you could be making this problem worse.
Some dogs are more likely to suffer from health problems and so you should know what to look out for in your dog. Research the kind of dog you have and see if there are any preventative measures you can take. Ask your veterinarian what steps can be taken to prevent issues that are common with your dog’s breed.
If you are in the market for a pedigree pup, you just may find him at the pound. A pure bred dog is just as likely to be abandoned at the pound as any other if its owners can no longer take care of it. Make a phone call to local pounds and shelters and see what kinds of dogs are there. This could help you save the life of a dog.
If your dog has to listen to many people, he may end up confused. Having multiple people train your dog will only confuse him. You need to put just one person on the task of teaching the dog.
Dogs need regular check-ups, too. Dogs need to be checked for heartworm and other health issues, and need to have any and all necessary vaccinations. A puppy requires more constant vet visits. If your dog appears to be hurt or sick, they need to be brought to the vet immediately.
Owning a dog is a wonderful experience that is very rewarding and offers tremendous companionship. The best thing to do is to spend time learning about all of the things your dog may need. This article is the best place to start learning.